Coroner Condemns Inordinate Delay in Installing River Tyne Safety Measures After Teen Drownings
Veröffentlicht: 07.07.2026 um 16:11 Uhr, Redaktion boerse-global.de
A coroner has criticised the "inordinate" two-year delay in installing safety equipment and warning signs at a stretch of the River Tyne where three teenagers have died, despite proposals for improvements being made after the first fatality.
An inquest in Northumberland heard that 14-year-old David Radut and 13-year-old Aras Rudzianskas drowned at Ovingham in May 2024 — at the same location where 13-year-old Robert Hattersley had died in July 2022. Safety gear and signage were still not in place when the two boys got into difficulty nearly two years after the earlier tragedy.
Coroner Paul Dunn described the gap between the 2022 death and the eventual installation of safety measures as "inordinate". Martin Kammeier, a station manager for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), told the court that a proposal for signs was made following the 2022 incident, but the process was delayed due to resourcing constraints.
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Permission Granted Weeks Before Second Tragedy
Official permission to install the signs was eventually granted by Northumberland Estates on 19 April 2024 — less than a month before the second tragedy. Records showed that emails regarding the signage were still being exchanged as late as the morning of the drownings on 18 May 2024. Five sets of signs were finally installed following the deaths of David and Aras.
The coroner concluded on Tuesday that safety equipment and warning signs had not been installed at the stretch of river for nearly two years following the first fatality, despite proposals for improved measures.
The May 2024 Incident
The tragedy began when David Radut fell from a rope swing into the River Tyne. David, who could not swim, fell into deeper water after letting go of the swing prematurely. Aras Rudzianskas jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue his friend, but David, in a state of panic, reportedly pulled Aras under the water.
A paddleboarder, Fiona Matthews, discovered Aras face down in the water and performed CPR. Aras was taken to hospital but died three days later. David's body was recovered by emergency services approximately 21 metres downstream later that evening.
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The coroner described Aras's rescue attempt as a "selfless act" and one of the bravest he had witnessed in 20 years. David's death was ruled an accident, while a narrative conclusion was recorded for Aras. Following the incident, the tree branch supporting the rope swing was removed.
Wider Water Safety Concerns During Heatwaves
The findings of the River Tyne inquest come amid heightened concern about open water safety across the UK. During a significant heatwave in May 2026, when temperatures reached 35.1°C at Kew Gardens, at least nine water-related deaths were recorded.
Victims identified during that period included 15-year-old Declan Sawyer at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln, 12-year-old Junior Slater in the River Ribble, and 16-year-old Lillianna Tomlinson at Kingsbury Water Park. In response, organisations including the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and local fire services have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of cold water shock and strong currents.
Lincoln City Council is scheduled to meet on 14 July 2026 to consider a trial patrolling safety warden scheme at Swanholme Lakes. National safety campaigners have warned that open water locations often lack necessary safety infrastructure, describing them as potential traps for swimmers unaware of the risks. Water safety education is also set to be integrated into the national curriculum starting in September.
